Pinellas County Deputy Honored For 30 Years Of Service
Today we honored a Pinellas County Deputy for his 30 years of service. After being nominated by his wife Jacque we learned about Rick’s dedication to our community. He has…
Pinellas County Deputy Service
Jacque S.Today we honored a Pinellas County Deputy for his 30 years of service. After being nominated by his wife Jacque we learned about Rick's dedication to our community. He has been working with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for the past 30 years and will retire next month. Rick has served as a Field Training Officer and a community police officer. Another highlight of Rick's career is the charity he started. Known now as "Kids Pedal Power" this charity supplies bikes, helmets, and locks for kids in need.
Congrats to Rick as he receives a $100 gift card from Crown Buick GMC. He also gets another $100 gift card from Demesmin & Dover Law Firm.
Every Friday we honor a first responder in Tampa Bay. Do you have someone in your life that is a first responder? Someone that you admire, a relative, a friend? Whoever it is that you want to spotlight. We want to hear from you, and you can nominate someone right now by doing so HERE. The nomination process takes about five minutes. Once you nominate someone we will be in touch with you to schedule a call with you.
10 Best Pumpkin Patches In Tampa To Check Out
Here are the 10 best pumpkin patches in Tampa to check out. This time of year we all love to get out and enjoy the cooler weather and see all of the fall festivities around the bay area.
That's right, cooler weather is coming to the bay area in the next few weeks. Fall is in the air. It's time for boots and sweater weather. Well, maybe not sweaters just yet, but soon. Restaurants are serving up spiced coffee and drinks and pumpkin flavored goodies. And it's time for fall festivals and Pumpkin Patches! The kids love to run around and the parents love to find things to get them away from the I-pads. It's not too early to think about finding that perfect pumpkin to carve a fun or scary face into for a front door decoration.
Let’s take a look at some of the cool ones here in the Tampa Bay area.
What Is A Pumpkin
First, What is a pumpkin? The answer – a Pumpkin: Orange-pear hybridized organism, species of vegetable. Many people like to add spice and late’. Wikipedia says “A pumpkin is a cultivar of winter squash that is round with smooth, slightly ribbed skin, and is most often deep yellow to orange in coloration. The thick shell contains the seeds and pulp. All that is good, but it tastes amazing. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin doughnuts, pumpkin baked goods and even pumpkin shakes and frosty's.
The owners of pumpkin patches work very hard all year round to make sure they have the best display for you and your family. These patches take months of hard work and long hours during the fall season.
Get out and take a drive and explore a new city and a new pumpkin patch. Make sure you pack a cooler and some snacks for the kids too!
Here are the 10 best Pumpkin Patches in Tampa to check out.
1. Gallagher’s Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Trees
Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)Location: 7401 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Located in St. Pete for more than 30 years, this family-owned business is the perfect spot to capture super cute photos of your little pumpkins while you select the best of the ‘patch’! You can also pick up a yummy homemade pie and even feed goats in the goat pen. Plus great photo opportunities.
2. Harvest Holler Pumpkin Patch in Polk City
Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)Open now through November 12
Location: 950 Tavares Rd., Polk City, FL 33868 – about 30 min east of Tampa
Cost: $15 for ages 13-64, $12 for ages 2-12, seniors 65+, and active-duty military
Farmer Jerry and his family’s Harvest Holler Farm invite you to come out for a fun fall tradition and stroll the fields of this year’s corn maze and pumpkin patch. Explore the pumpkin patch, go on a hayride, enjoy some country eats, meet live farm animals, and more! There’s also a cow train, corn hole, and many more activities.
3. Raprager Family Farm Fall Pumpkin Patch
Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)Friday - Sundays now through October 29 and Saturdays and Sundays Nov 4-19
Located at 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa
Cost: $16.95 when purchased in advance for ages 3 and up, children 2 and under are free. Parking is free.
Raprager Family Farm’s Fall Festival is a favorite. Attractions include axe throwing, pumpkin painting, a 900ft inflatable maze, a baby cow, and more. The haunted barn is back along with the hay rides, petting zoo, hay chute slide, and other favorites. The farm is kid-friendly all day but does get scarier after 6:00 p.m.
4. Corky’s Pumpkin Patch at Keel Farms
Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)
Open October 7,8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29
Location: 1603 Hawks Griffin Road, Plant City, FL
Cost is free
Keel Farms has a four-acre corn maze for you and the kids to navigate as you find hidden clues and solve a riddle with the rooster mascot, Corky and pals. There is also a pumpkin patch, hayrides, kids zone, and more!
5. St. Pete Pier Fall Pumpkin Patch
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
October 7 - 15
Location: St Pete Pier
Cost is free
The St. Pete Pier is such a fun place to visit and better in the fall. Pick out your perfect pumpkin at the Family Park at the St. Pete Pier and pose for adorable photos. While you’re there, stay and play at the nearby playground and even tour the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.
6. Heights Fall Festival Pumpkin Patch at Armature Works
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Open Saturday and Sunday, Oct 14 & 15 and Oct 21 & 22
Location: Armature Works, Tampa
Cost is free
The Heights Fall Festival will take place across two weekends in October and will feature a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, face painters, activities for the whole family, and live music. There will also be a food drive benefiting Metropolitan Ministries.
7. Pumpkin Fest 2023 at Florida Botanical Gardens
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Saturday October 21, 2023, from 12 pm-4 pm
Location: 12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo, FL 33774 Clearwater Pumpkin Patch
Cost: Free admission, $10 per pumpkin
The 8th Annual Pumpkin Fest at Florida Botanical Gardens. Here you will find a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, spooky activities, and more. Fun for both kids and adults.
8. Dave’s Christmas Tree Lot Pumpkin Patch
Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)October 1-31, 2023 Mon-Fri: 1 pm-8 pm, Sat-Sun: 9 am-9 pm
Location: 106 E Lumsden Avenue, Brandon, FL
Cost: Pumpkins $4 and up
Bring your friends and family out to wander through rows of pie pumpkins, mini pumpkins, white pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, highly stacked hay bales, garden mums, and much more. Bring the whole family for fun photo opportunities.
9. Hyde Park Village Pumpkin Patch
Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 17: General view of the atmosphere at Mr. Jack O'Lantern's Pumpkin Patch on October 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
October 4 – October 26, 2023
Location: 1602 W. Snow Circle, Tampa.
Cost: varies for pumpkins
Come pick out the perfect pumpkin at Hyde Park Village. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The pumpkin patch is located by the fountain near Pottery Barn.
10. Fox Squirrel Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
October 7-November 5, 2023, Sat-Sun: 10 am-5 pm
Location: 6151 Varn Road, Plant City, FL
Cost: $12. Ages 3 and under are FREE
This is a family-friendly event including fall games and activities during the annual Fox Squirrel Corn Maze! Navigate the corn maze and then go check out the duck races. Challenge your kids to a game of corn hole, go on a hayride, and don't to grab the perfect pumpkin.
